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Stripping
Questions

What do you think about dress codes that limit
clothing choices at work or at school? Where do
they come from? Why do the exist?

What about nudity? Why are there laws against
taking off one’s clothes in public?
Parade Stripping

Mardi Gras, New Orleans
Beads thrown from floats to crowd
 Women voluntarily expose breasts for beads

Mardi Gras Study

Interviewed 54 women who exposed their
breasts for beads
Mostly college-age women
 Mostly after drinking some alcohol
 Most are supported by friends
 Most are not seeking erotic pleasure

Question

What is it about the Mardi Gras environment
that makes women more likely to voluntarily
expose their breasts?
The Profession of Stripping

Hustle Clubs, Show Clubs, Social Clubs,
Private Parties

Table/lap dances, couch dance,
champagne rooms

“If for a moment you can look at him as
if he’s the only man in the whole room,
you can make him think maybe, just
maybe, you are really attracted to him.
You want him to feel that way.”

“Every day you have to plot and scheme.
You have to find that new way to make
these men think you have a real interest in
them. When they ask you on a date, you
say “first I have to get to know you
better.” So you get them to buy a table
dance so they can start to get to know you
better. You’ve got to be able to string it
along.”
Creating an Image

He wants to believe she is available, and that he
could be with here

He wants to believe she wants him

He does not want to believe she is married or
that stripping is just a job to her

His decision to buy dances depends on the
affirmation of these beliefs
Impression Management

Intentional manipulation of one’s identity
for some purpose


Dress, accessories, facial expression, selected
pieces of information, music selection
To get him to buy more dances
Strippers present themselves in ways that most
match customer beliefs and expectations
 Conceal elements of their lives that contradict
the “slut” or “party girl” image that customers
want

Emotional Work
(aka, Counterfeit Intimacy)

Creating the impression that you care
about the customer

Use verbal and nonverbal cues
Eye contact, smiles must be convincing,
engaging, must be “on”
 The “work” involves ignoring your real feelings
to create a feeling in others

Exploitation or Empowerment?

Are strippers victims of a sexist, patriarchal
society?

How does stripping compare to working at
Hooters? How is it the same? How is it
different?